**1/2 Stars
The theory that seeing a movie in a theater can make it a better experience is absolutely true when seeing the fourth installment of the Rambo franchise. Not only did I get to see one of the most ridiculous action films of this decade, I got to witness the most ridiculous, hilarious, and unforgettable trailer in recent memory. I won't tell you the title because that is half the fun but to witness it, click here.
Ok, back to Rambo. Now Sylvester Stallone is in his sixties and is in better shape than half the people my age. It is true he has taken steroids to prepare himself for the role. But hey, the guy is not an athlete in any major sport and he has to look jacked to pull of this tough-guy persona. So I say, why the hell not? Let the guy do his thing.
For the record, the film itself is quite terrible. The plot is weak, the acting is sub-par, and the torture in this film is horribly disturbing. But Stallone knows his audience. An action junkie is looking for ninety minutes of pure adrenaline, loaded with the most violent kills a film has to offer. So did I have a good time? Sure. Can I recommend it? Well, I won't discourage you from seeing it, but I can't really make you see this film unless you are simply a Rambo action junkie.
Vietnam vet John Rambo has been secluded from the outside world for decades. He lives quietly in Thailand after his past ordeals with his old Colonel Samuel Trautman (played by Richard Crenna in the first three films, he is absent here) and is trying to forget the things he has done. Violence always seems to come back to John no matter what situation he gets in. When a Christian group from America come to try and help the refugees of the territory of Burma, they ask Rambo to guide them to their village. Known as the Karen people, they have been tortured by the Burmese military and struggle just to survive every day. Rambo excepts the job to take them by boat to the land.
So when the missionaries arrive at the village, they themselves are captured and a group of American soldiers (who just happen to be close enough to the area in time to save them) go on a rescue mission and they need John Rambo to take them. From there, the action takes over and your brain goes right out the window.
It takes skill to create these slick action sequences. In fact, the best part of the movie has almost no violence. When the Americans and Rambo arrive at the camp, their entrance is at night, as they secretly sway through the guards to those captured. The scene is taut and tightly put together. But once they are rescued, Stallone goes for the over-the-top violence where when someone is shot by a bullet, they are forcefully flown into the air with their carcass spread all over the screen. A treat for the eyes of a fourteen year old and a death wish for everyone who has a fourteen year-old child.
Ok, back to Rambo. Now Sylvester Stallone is in his sixties and is in better shape than half the people my age. It is true he has taken steroids to prepare himself for the role. But hey, the guy is not an athlete in any major sport and he has to look jacked to pull of this tough-guy persona. So I say, why the hell not? Let the guy do his thing.
For the record, the film itself is quite terrible. The plot is weak, the acting is sub-par, and the torture in this film is horribly disturbing. But Stallone knows his audience. An action junkie is looking for ninety minutes of pure adrenaline, loaded with the most violent kills a film has to offer. So did I have a good time? Sure. Can I recommend it? Well, I won't discourage you from seeing it, but I can't really make you see this film unless you are simply a Rambo action junkie.
Vietnam vet John Rambo has been secluded from the outside world for decades. He lives quietly in Thailand after his past ordeals with his old Colonel Samuel Trautman (played by Richard Crenna in the first three films, he is absent here) and is trying to forget the things he has done. Violence always seems to come back to John no matter what situation he gets in. When a Christian group from America come to try and help the refugees of the territory of Burma, they ask Rambo to guide them to their village. Known as the Karen people, they have been tortured by the Burmese military and struggle just to survive every day. Rambo excepts the job to take them by boat to the land.
So when the missionaries arrive at the village, they themselves are captured and a group of American soldiers (who just happen to be close enough to the area in time to save them) go on a rescue mission and they need John Rambo to take them. From there, the action takes over and your brain goes right out the window.
It takes skill to create these slick action sequences. In fact, the best part of the movie has almost no violence. When the Americans and Rambo arrive at the camp, their entrance is at night, as they secretly sway through the guards to those captured. The scene is taut and tightly put together. But once they are rescued, Stallone goes for the over-the-top violence where when someone is shot by a bullet, they are forcefully flown into the air with their carcass spread all over the screen. A treat for the eyes of a fourteen year old and a death wish for everyone who has a fourteen year-old child.
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